Russia beat the U.S. 6-3 in Red Deer, Alberta, Tuesday night in pre-World Junior Championship exhibition play. The stats listed above are unofficial and based off comments from reporters at the game. Kucherovâ€™s first goal was on the power play and his second was scored into an empty net. Russia still has to cut six players, but all Lightning prospects should be safe. The â€œrealâ€ games start the day after Christmas. (Pictured: Kucherov scoring on Stars first rounder Jack Campbell)

Vasily Koshechkin sat backup in Cherepovets' 4-1 win over Novgorod. Ex-Bruins prospect Mikko Lehtonen had 1 goal and 1 assist in the victory. Cherepovets is now off until 12/21, when the play Omsk, for the Channel One Cup break.

Remember the days when Riku Helenius (pictured) allowing 1 goal in a win would have been exciting? Now, if he doesn't get a shutout, we wonder what went wrong. He's raised the bar that much this season. In fairness, he somewhat made up for it by assisting on JYP's opening goal by Jani Tuppuainen. JYP now sails off into the Channel One Cup break and won't play again until the Tuesday after Christmas against SaiPa. The Channel One Cup will run from 12/15 through 12/18.

Johan Harju had an empty net goal and a minor for hooking in Lulea's 4-2 win over Vaxjo. The goal moves Harju into the top-10 in the league in scoring. He is tied with 3 others, including former Edmonton prospect Rob Schremp, for 8th, 4 back of the league leader. Lulea faces AIK next on Sunday.